‘Culture is important to our sense of community, our sense of who we are as a nation and to how we project that internationally,’ said Phil Gawne MHK, chairman of Culture Vannin, an Island of Culture 2014 financial partner.

Culture Vannin was formerly the Manx Heritage Foundation, established by Act of Tynwald in 1982. ‘We were inspired by Island of Culture to change our name to Culture Vannin, itself a celebration of creativity and innovation,’ explained Mr Gawne, adding: ‘We have a proud history of supporting and promoting Manx culture through development, education and grant-giving work. This, very much in the spirit of Island of Culture, creates a strong legacy, bolstered through our Manx culture publications and creation of bespoke educational resources for the Manx language, music and dance.’

Inspired by what is set to be the Island’s biggest celebration of arts and culture Culture Vannin has developed a new website – www.culturevannin.im – and launched a range of projects with a strong focus on promoting the Manx language, including the 1000 words in Manx in a year challenge, a YouTube Manx Gaelic video a day and, for absolute beginners, a new podcast series, http://greinneyder.podomatic.com.

Mr Gawne continued: ‘Other initiatives providing exciting new opportunities for the wealth of creative talent we have in the Island include a collaboration with the Archibald Knox Society to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the designer’s birth, specially commissioned music for brass, the Manx Youth Orchestra and Folkestra, and a Culture Vannin summer school in August, a week of Manx language, music and culture for years 6 to 11.

‘The aims of Culture Vannin are closely aligned with those of Island of Culture 2014, principally these are to celebrate Manx culture, promote a vibrant national identity for the Isle of Man, inspire life-long learning and discovery and ensure a strong living culture for future generations. It is against this background that Culture Vannin is pleased to be a financial partner of Island of Culture 2014 and we look forward to contributing to the celebrations.’